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Kate Middleton wore a coat dress designed by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker to attend the opening ceremony of Nigeria’s state visit
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King Charles recently attended Coker’s London Fashion Week show, highlighting the rising designer
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Duchess Kate adds sparkle to state visit with Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl drop earrings
Kate Middleton dressed up for the start of a state visit to Nigeria, wearing designer brands that may have been recommended to her by King Charles.
On March 18, the Princess of Wales and Prince William welcomed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel in Englefield Green, marking the official start of Nigeria’s two-day state visit to the UK.
Since King Charles ascended the throne in 2022, welcoming foreign dignitaries has been a priority for the Prince and Princess of Wales during state visits and a sign of their elevated royal status, and Kate, 44, was dressed to the nines for the special occasion.
Kate Middleton and Prince William greet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu at the Fairmont Hotel in Windsor on March 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Yui Mok/POOL/AFP via Getty
The Princess of Wales wore a gray coat dress with white accents by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker for King Charles’ London Fashion Week show on February 19.
The King, 77, sat front row with Stella McCartney at the Coker show, which kicked off London Fashion Week 2026, offering a first look at the rising designer’s latest creations.
King Charles attends the Tolu Coker fashion show during London Fashion Week at NEWGEN Runway Space on February 19, 2026 in London.
Photo credit: Saira MacLeod/WWD via Getty
Kate’s highlighting of a Nigerian designer at the start of her state visit was a thoughtful move and a display of fashion diplomacy.
Kate has previously worn outfits by local designers on official trips abroad and practiced flag dressing, paying homage to her country by wearing one or two colors from that country’s flag, a trend that Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana also leaned into.
On March 18, 2026, the first day of the state visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Windsor Castle, Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the guard of honor review in the Quadrangle during the welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty
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The Princess of Wales opened her state visit to Nigeria with a matching hat by Jane Taylor and added sparkle with Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl drop earrings from her late mother-in-law’s collection.
Over the years, Kate has worn many pieces of jewelry that belonged to Diana (who died in 1997), and Prince William proposed to her with his mother’s signature sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
State visits are an important way for the UK to strengthen relations with other countries. Nigeria’s visit is being held at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, the traditional home for such diplomatic events, is undergoing a years-long renovation.
The visit is significant, Nigeria’s first state visit to the UK in 37 years, and a busy first day will end with a glamorous state banquet at Windsor Castle, which is likely to mean Kate and Camilla will wear the tiaras.
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